Federalist Papers introduced–
October 27 (annually)
On this date in 1787 the Federalist Papers first begin to appear in New York newspapers as James Madison—writing under the pseudonym “Publius”—unites with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to encourage New York to adopt the Constitution. See the Federalist Papers at the following link– http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/D/1776-1800/federalist/fedxx.htm
A Candlelight Christmas at Montpelier–
December 3-4 (annually)
Montpelier, 11407 Constitution Highway, Montpelier Station, VA 22957–A special introduction to the Holiday season begins as docents lead candlelight tours of the Great House.
Inauguration Day–
March 4 (annually) – Inauguration Day**
On this date in 1809, James Madison began his eight years as President of the United States.
(**The ratification of the Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution changed Inauguration Day
to noon on January 20th beginning with Franklin Roosevelt’s second term in 1937.)
Link to the First Inaugural Address of James Madison delivered Saturday, March 4, 1809–http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres18.html
Link to the Second Inaugural Address of James Madison delivered Thursday, March 4, 1813–http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres19.html
Celebration of James Madison birth in 1751–
March 16 (annually)
Montpelier, 11407 Constitution Highway, Montpelier Station, VA 22957–Annual
wreath laying ceremony at the tomb of James Madison in the Madison Family
cemetery with special tribute delivered from the current President of the
United States by the U.S. Marine Corps at 1 p.m.
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807–Activities consist of a
week of events including: memorial wreath laying ceremony, James Madison
lecture, luncheon, James Madison Commemorative Debate and Citizen Forum
Competition for Madison Cup and cash prizes, and annual gathering of World
Changers who subscribe to the assumed Madisonian principle of “Being the
Change.”
Dolley’s Birthday–
May 20 (annually)—My dear Dolley’s Birthday
Montpelier, 11407 Constitution Highway, Montpelier Station, VA 22957—
Birthday cake celebration of Dolley Payne Todd Madison’s 1768 birth.
Also see the following links—
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/first-ladies/dolleymadison
http://moderntimes.vcdh.virginia.edu/madison/index.html
Bill of Rights introduced–
June 8 (annually)
On this day in 1789, James Madison proposed amendments to the Constitution that were eventually adopted in 1791 as the Bill of Rights. http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/madisonargues.jpg
To view notes written by Madison to present the amendments, visit the following link–
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/madison/images/vc11.jpg
To read his actual words as recorded by the Congressional Register of Thomas Lloyd and the Gazette of the United States of John Fenno, visit the following link– http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/P/jm4/speeches/amend.htm
James Madison died on this day in 1836–
June 28 (annually)
http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/obits/madison.html
Since 1814 a memorable day for both James and Dolley Madison–
August 24 (annually)
On this day in 1814, in separate skirmishes with invading British forces, James Madison almost became the first U.S. President captured in battle as he observed Marines fighting under Joshua Barney at the Battle of Bladensburg Bridge and Dolley fled the White House with Gilbert Stuart’s Portrait of George Washington.
http://mason.gmu.edu/~chughes3/images1.html
Since 1794 the Wedding Anniversary of James Madison to Dolley–
September 15 (annually)
http://www.medadvocates.org/news/celebration/september/Sep_15.htm
Constitution Day–
September 17 (annually)
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807—Annual barbecue on the Commons.
Consider visiting:
Montpelier, 11407 Constitution Highway, Montpelier Station VA 22957
Constitution Hall, 520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Consider Contacting:
Your Congressional Representative
Your two Senators
Also see the following links—
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_Day_(United_States)
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-day/
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/other/2005-2/052405b.html
Forthcoming Events–
*For additional events, see the calendar of events at the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University.
*For a wide array of events, see the calendar of events at Montpelier, the Madison estate in Orange, Virginia.